422 pages ; 25 cm

Our brains were designed for tribal life, for getting along with a select group of others (Us) and for fighting off everyone else (Them). But modern times have forced the world's tribes into a shared space, resulting in epic clashes of values along with unprecedented opportunities. As the world shrinks, the moral lines that divide us become more salient and more puzzling. We fight over everything from tax codes to gay marriage to global warming, and we wonder where, if at all, we can find our common ground. In this grand synthesis of neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy, a path breaking neuroscientist reveals the underlying causes of modern conflict and lights the way forward.--From publisher description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 388-403) and index

Introduction: The tragedy of commonsense morality -- pt. 1. Moral problems -- The tragedy of the commons -- Moral machinery -- Strife on the new pastures -- pt. 2. Morality fast and slow -- Trolleyology -- Efficiency, flexibility, and the dual-process brain -- pt. 3. Common currency -- A splendid idea -- In search of common currency -- Common currency found -- pt. 4. Moral convictions -- Alarming acts -- Justice and fairness -- pt. 5. Moral solutions -- Deep pragmatism -- Beyond point-and-shoot morality: six rules for modern herders

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